Ebonyi seeks Nigerian govt’s support to mitigate natural disaster
Ebonyi Governor Appeals for Federal Disaster Relief Funds
Abakaliki, Nigeria — Francis Nwifuru, the Governor of Ebonyi State, has urged the Federal Government to allocate Natural Disaster Funds to assist the state in addressing the aftermath of numerous natural calamities.
Governor Nwifuru made this appeal during a meeting with members of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) who are in Ebonyi for the 2026 Data Verification Exercise.
During the engagement, Nwifuru highlighted the significant toll of recent disasters, including wind and thunderstorms that severely damaged infrastructure, including government buildings. He stated that these events have necessitated substantial financial resources for reconstruction.
“A lot of disasters have happened in this state,” Nwifuru said. “The natural disaster is costing us huge resources to rebuild.”
Additionally, he pointed out that the presence of mining pits has led to serious environmental challenges. According to the governor, the state is investing in remediation efforts, yet it does not gain financial benefits from mining activities as licenses are regulated at the federal level.
Nwifuru expressed hope that the ongoing nationwide data collection would enhance revenue flow to the state. This information was shared through a statement on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor.
The governor also addressed the importance of accurate data collection, noting that poor data can lead to misleading conclusions. He expressed confidence in the RMAFC team’s capabilities.
“The quality of people here indicates the commission’s capacity and commitment,” he said. “It will make sense if the collected data is updated and analyzed to reflect current realities.”
Dr. Henry Awuregu, the team leader and a representative of Ebonyi State on the commission, explained that the visit is part of the National Data Verification Exercise. He emphasized that revenue mobilization should be based on fairness and equity in the distribution of national resources.
“The revenue allocation system in Nigeria is built on indices that seek to ensure fairness, equality, and justice,” Awuregu said. “However, as socioeconomic realities evolve and new challenges emerge, it is crucial to periodically verify and update the data that informs these indices to reflect present-day realities.”
He concluded that validating the integrity and accuracy of data is vital for informed revenue distribution across the federation.
